Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu has said that Spanish giants are “expecting a lot” from France international forward Ousmane Dembele, suggesting that the 21-year-old winger will remain at Nou Camp for the next season.

Last campaign, French forward was signed as a long-term replacement for Brazilian superstar Neymar, however, the Dembele has endured a stop-start season where just 12 starts and five substitutes being made in La Liga.

The Merseyside Reds have been rumoured with a summer bid for French forward, however, Bartomeu has predicted that the 21-year-old Frenchman as well as Philippe Coutinho – will play a vital role for them next season.

Bartomeu told AP: “[Philippe] Coutinho, [Ousmane] Dembele are for us a big investment. They are very important players and we expect a lot from them.

“Coutinho probably in the last four months has been very active for the team. But Dembele is a very young player, a very talented player that we are, of course, expecting a lot from.

“He’s been demonstrating during the season that he’s a good young player for us. But, of course, next season will be different. It’s not easy to play in Barcelona the first year because the model of football is quite different from the rest, but after one year I’m sure we are going to see Dembele and Coutinho at a very high level.”

French forward has penned a five-year deal with the Catalan giants when signing from Borussia Dortmund last season.